Overview and context
World Vision is a child-focused international relief, development and advocacy agency that strives to be environmentally responsible. Our concern for the poor means that we cannot ignore changes in the environment that intimately affect their livelihoods. Climate change has the potential to seriously undermine sustainable development and may in the long run contribute to rising levels of natural disasters and endemic poverty. As a result, it will have the greatest impact on the poorest communities around the world.
In order for World Vision UK’s mission to be fulfilled in a way which is consistent with biblical teaching, we recognise the need to care for the environment in all our areas of work. World Vision UK’s policy is therefore to seek to have the least negative impact, where practicable, on the environment, continually seeking to reduce our impact. We shall encourage our staff and supporters to recognise that we have a responsibility to consider the environmental impact of all our business activities. This internal policy relates to employees’ responsibilities, the direct impacts of our day-to-day operations, which arise through the consumption of energy and resources, as well as impacts that arise indirectly that have the potential to affect the environment. Targets will be set and our environmental performance will be monitored and reported on.
Having been developed internally in light of good practise, this environmental policy statement is endorsed by our Executive Leadership Team and Chief Executive Officer. It commits the organisation to meet all applicable legal requirements and work to improve (or maintain) our environmental impact.
Policy guidelines
In particular:
We will develop an Environmental Management System (EMS). This will enable us to manage our in-house environmental aspects more effectively, on a ‘day-to-day’ basis and on an ‘on-going’ basis, thereby complimenting our commitment to continual improvement in all our business activities. As part of the EMS, we will:
- Periodically schedule and carry out environmental management audits and reviews designed to measure our progress and to remain compliant with current and emerging statutes
- Review, where appropriate refine and report on the targets that we have set at least annually
- Continue to improve in the reduction and monitoring of the production of waste, the reduction of pollution and emissions compliance with environmental legislation and environmental codes of practice.
Provide clear guidance, relevant learning opportunities and appropriate challenge and support to employees to help make this happen, such that they are able to perform their duties in a way that does not compromise our environmental policy and objectives.